The Perishable Specialist Inc. - BLOG

From: APL Notification [mailto:APL_Notification@apl.com]
Sent: Tuesday, October 27, 2009 11:57 AM
To: undisclosed-recipients:
Subject: Clean Truck Program 2nd Update

October 27, 2009

Clean Truck Program 2^nd Update

Dear APL Customer:

Previously we advised about changes to the Clean Truck Program at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.  At that time the plan was for these changes to take place on November 1.  However, we are now advised that the changes will take place on Sunday, November 15, 2009. Until these changes are implemented on November 15, all cargo moving through these two Southern California ports must continue to be claimed through Port Check.  Please see the following press release from the Ports outlining the change.

Press Release from the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach:

Simplified cargo claiming system BEgins November 15

Exempt Trucks No Longer Required to Claim Cargo

At the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, PortCheck is preparing to introduce a simplified cargo claiming system to reduce the administrative and economic burdens of the Clean Trucks Program (CTP). The system will be developed, tested and operational by November 15, not November 1 as previously announced.

Under the new system, cargo owners using exempt clean trucks to move local or intermodal rail cargo will no longer be required to claim cargo or pay the Clean Trucks Fee (CTF) in advance; only cargo owners using older, non-compliant trucks will be required to do so. Currently, all cargo, including intermodal cargo, must be claimed through PortCheck.

The marine terminal operators proposed this change to the two ports in response to feedback from cargo owners asking to reduce the administrative burdens and complications of the current claiming system. PortCheck is committed to easing these burdens. The changes will not reduce the ability of the Clean Trucks Program to meet its clean air goals.

Cargo owners should reference the following guidelines to ensure compliance with the new cargo claiming system:

·         Cargo owners that are absolutely certain their containers are delivered or picked up by an exempt truck in the ports’ drayage truck registry will not have to claim the cargo or booking number.

·         Cargo owners using non-exempt trucks will be denied entry until the container or booking number is claimed or paid for, or an exempt truck is used.

·         If the cargo owner is not certain whether an exempt or a non-exempt truck will pick up or deliver the container, they should continue to claim the container or booking number.

The CTF was established by the ports to pay for implementation of the CTP.  Currently, cargo owners are required to pay a CTF for cargo moved by trucks that do not meet the requirements of the CTP.  Cargo contained in a 20-foot container is subject to a $35 CTF. Cargo moved in containers larger than 20 feet is subject to a $70 CTF.

Customers can submit inquiries PortCheck customer service center by sending an email to questions@portcheck.org or calling 1-877-863-3310. 

For more information on PortCheck, please visit www.pierpass-tmf.org.

For more Information on the Clean Trucks Program of the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, please visit the ports’ web sites, www.portoflosangeles.org  and www.polb.com/cleantrucks.

PortCheck Inc. Customer Service

1-877-863-3310 (inside the United States)

1-801-559-8078 (outside the United States)

For additional information regarding this matter, please contact your APL Account Manager or Customer Support via phone at 1-800-999-7733 or via email at nam_customer_support@apl.com.

Sincerely,

APL Customer Support

*If you wish to no longer receive emails regarding service advisories, please reply to this email and add the word “remove” to the end of the subject line.  If you wish to add parties to this email, please reply and provide those individuals’ email addresses.

Alert Details

The Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has postponed from Oct. 1 to Nov. 1 an increase of about 10% in the fees charged for certain agricultural quarantine and inspection services provided in connection with certain commercial vessels, trucks, railroad cars and aircraft arriving at ports in the U.S. customs territory. These fees are being increased as follows.

• commercial vessels - $544, up from $494
• commercial trucks - $6.00 for a single border crossing, up from $5.25, and $120 for a transponder, up from $105
• commercial railroad cars - $8.75 per car, up from $7.75
• commercial aircraft - $78.00 per aircraft, up from $70.50

World Trade\INTERACTIVE™ is an online international trade information service, published electronically by WorldTrade Interactive, Inc. It is prepared by the law firm of Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A. The publisher has taken all reasonable steps to verify the accuracy of the content of this site. However, WorldTrade Interactive, Inc., and Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A., shall not be responsible for any errors or omissions.

NOTE: Information contained herein is of necessity a summary of complicated and fact-specific issues. It is not intended to convey legal advice, and receipt of it does not constitute or create an attorney-client relationship. Before you act on any information provided in this document, you should seek professional advice regarding its applicability to your specific circumstances.

Copyright © 2009 WorldTrade Interactive, Inc. - All Rights Reserved

Receipt of this free publication is allowed under the House and Senate gift rules.
See Senate Rule XXXV 1.(c)(9) and 1.(c)(19); House Rule XXV 5.(a)(3)(I) and 5(a)(3)(R)(i).

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/trade_outreach/trade_symposium_09.xml

To: Perishable Specialist, Inc., The

C-TPAT Members:

Please find below a general public informational notice that was recently posted on the C-TPAT portion of the CBP website.  This notice describes the program’s longstanding position regarding its enforcement and appeal process. This process has been discussed at the C-TPAT annual conference and other venues over the years and the intent herein is to provide a clearer understanding of the process to all concerned.  The program has worked diligently to ensure that suspension and removal decisions are balanced, taking into account all relevant factors and will continue to do so moving forward.  

Thank you,

S/ Bradd M. Skinner
    Director, C-TPAT   
 

Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) Enforcement And Appeal Process

The C-TPAT program is one layer in U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) multi-layered cargo enforcement strategy.  Through this program, CBP works with the trade community in adopting tighter security measures throughout their international supply chains.  In exchange for adopting these stronger security practices and after verification by CBP that the measures are in place, CBP affords these members reduced inspections.  C-TPAT is a voluntary program with a “trust but verify” mantra and as such the program must take immediate action to suspend or remove partners which are not in compliance with the program’s minimum security criteria. This informational notice outlines the program’s enforcement and appeal process.

C-TPAT members may be suspended or removed from the program for several reasons to include, but not limited to, the following: narcotics seizures or other security related incidents such as human smuggling attempts, failed validations, non-response to required information or an overall lack of commitment to the program.

The C-TPAT Headquarters (HQ) Program Director makes the final decision to suspend or remove a member based upon all available information to include reports and recommendations made by C-TPAT Field Managers.  In certain circumstances companies are removed outright from the program such as when they are found to provide false information, demonstrate no security or a total disregard for the program’s requirements.  In other instances, which may not be as egregious but nonetheless significant, the company may be suspended with the intent of giving the member an opportunity to come into compliance.

Once an incident occurs, C-TPAT determines the appropriate next steps on a case-by-case basis.  These steps normally include suspending benefits such as FAST lane access and the Automated Targeting System score reduction and conducting a post incident analysis to determine were the break-down occurred.

In order to be reinstated into the program after an incident, the company must agree to a corrective action plan which identifies specific objectives and time frames. In addition, the company must consent to un-announced visits until such time CBP is satisfied that the company is in full compliance. In the case of a failed validation, the company must demonstrate that it has successfully addressed all vulnerabilities before being fully reinstated.     

Companies that are suspended or removed may appeal the decision to the Executive Director, Cargo and Conveyance Security. Appeals should include all relevant information which demonstrates how the company has addressed the issues in question.

To avoid these actions, C-TPAT members must ensure they are in full compliance with the minimum security criteria and be cognizant of and responsive to mandated timeframes. To view the C-TPAT minimum security criteria, please visit: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/cargo_security/ctpat/.

C-TPAT members may address specific questions to their assigned SCSS and non-members may contact the C-TPAT HQ at industry.partnership@dhs.gov.

NEW RULE TO REQUIRE FOOD FACILITIES TO REPORT POSSIBLY ADULTERATED FOOD IN ELECTRONIC FDA REGISTRY

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/legal/informed_compliance_pubs/

USDA Corrects Rule on Imports of Citrus from Chile

The Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a correction to its April 7, 2009, final rule amending the fruits and vegetables regulations to allow the importation of sweet oranges and grapefruit from Chile into the continental U.S. APHIS states that in making this change it inadvertently amended the regulations to restrict the importation of clementines, mandarins and tangerines from Chile into the continental U.S. and Hawaii, when in fact those fruits had been eligible for importation into the entire U.S., including the territories.

Importer Security Filing “10+2” Program

Frequently Asked Questions

Last Updated: September 30, 2009

http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/trade/cargo_security/carriers/security_filing/10_2faq.ctt/10_2faq.doc#Liquidated